determinig age of Professional

Buddy Carter · Post by **Buddy Carter** » 22 Jan 2003 9:20 pm

I have a Sho-Bud Professional that I'm trying to date, but am not sure how. I was told by a couple of people it might an early '70's unit, but another knowlegeable player suggested it dates well into the '60's. His criterion came from the fact that the instrument is equipped with Grover machine heads w/"pearl" keys; I'm pretty sure they are OEM. The only numbers I've found are two stampings of "7139"; I don't know if that is the serial # or model #. It is a rack-and-barrel unit. Any thoughts?

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 23 Jan 2003 12:46 am

Ok I'll give it a shot.
Are the rods underneath; steel or kind of a cobalt brass looking rod??
Is the underneath finished or just the birdseye wood unfinished or is it a mesh-type board covering??
What color is the guitar stained or not stained?
Is there one coil tap switch or two??
Ok answer those questions and I can give you the year.
Ricky

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 23 Jan 2003 7:47 am

Also the type of pickup....two phillips
head screws on top or three on the lower
section of the pickup?

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 23 Jan 2003 11:52 am

Good one Jay...that detail slipped me brain...

Buddy Carter · Post by **Buddy Carter** » 23 Jan 2003 1:47 pm

The changer rods appear to be aluminum; maybe galvanized steel? They have allen sockets on the adjustment end. The barrels are steel. The underside is painted w/white spatter paint, like automotive trunk paint. The top of the cabinet is all natural maple. The pickups each have two phillips adjuster screws. Each pickup has one coil tap switch, and there is one neck selector switch.[This message was edited by Buddy Carter on 23 January 2003 at 01:47 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 23 Jan 2003 7:10 pm

May I take a guess and say about 1972 or 73?

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 24 Jan 2003 12:57 am

Duh....My brain hurts.....but it gets better as you read on.[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 26 January 2003 at 11:19 PM.]

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 24 Jan 2003 10:42 am

Ricky, that exactly describes mine except that it's the "tobacco" color. Any guess to that?

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 24 Jan 2003 11:18 am

Chris yours would be right after 71; as that is when the "Tobbacco" stained Professionals came about.

Ricky[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 26 January 2003 at 11:20 PM.]

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 24 Jan 2003 7:00 pm

What would you figure for this'n ?????

<img src=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Sho~Bud.jpg>

The paint underneath is like a green spattered
stuff. Brass collars, steel rods etc.
Probably around early 70's or thereabouts?

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Steelin' Video * * * <a href=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Steelin'.mpg> Bolt-on</a>* * * *<a href=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Wraparound.mpg> Wraparound</a>* * * *<a href=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Fingertip ... ngertip</a>

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 25 Jan 2003 3:19 am

2003.........Jay....ha

Just kiddin' ha... that thing looks brand new pal.
yes..early '70s......and I can't tell; but do the screws for those pickups go straight down through the top or are they on the bottom plate of the pickup???
Ricky[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 25 January 2003 at 03:19 AM.]

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 25 Jan 2003 7:21 am

Nope....just the bottom. I think the ones
that go thru the top of the pickup
were already into the later 70's thru
the '80's.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 25 Jan 2003 12:00 pm

WEll Jay; they really started crankin' out that color stain right at the '70s and more like 71 or 72.
Ricky[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 26 January 2003 at 11:18 PM.]

Buddy Carter · Post by **Buddy Carter** » 25 Jan 2003 7:49 pm

Thanks for the info. I appreciate the deciferin'.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 26 Jan 2003 11:15 pm

Ok I change my answers.....ha...as there is too many grey areas around the 1970 mark.
Both your Professionals are early 70's.
Sorry for the confusion..but "the Professional" name was not put on Shobud..till 1970...eventhough there were Professionals out during the Baldwin Crossover ear..late '60s but they were transfering guitars...and I do belive there are some from the late 60's that had Professional on them...unless some one put the sticker on....ha...which is highly likely...as many of these old guitars were and have been re-coated....but all and all.."The Professional" wasn't named till 70.
I really have to see the guitars...instead of so many details as they really do help...but the transformation from one era to the next; usually included several styles of changes...
As Tommy White Confirmed some of this info to with me...and the color schemes' are so hard to read...but Tommy mentioned the dark ones coming out in '71....but I believe the two tone redish/blonde...were made in late 60's like 68 and 69.....like that one on ebay right now......so you see how it gets foggy...and the grey matter starts gettin' thick....
Just be proud you have a ShoBud...and if it's "The Professional" it is early to mid 70's done deal...than Pro II were coming and then customs and III's and bla bla bla...I loose interest after Pro II....
But Fingertip; Single neck ShoBud; Professionals and Pro II.....is KING in my book and if you got one...hang onto it; as it is HISTORY man.
Ricky